Here we are kicking off Week 1 of the 52 week challenge, sew something warm. Which comes just in time with the very cold weather here in Vermont! So I got started on both a top and pants for the littlest human in the house, since she appears to be the one in need of the most amount of warm clothing. I decided I was going to use some wonderful, cuddly blue French terry from Central TX Fabrics & Crafts Facebook Group (who has the best admin team and awesome deals on a variety of fabric types – and she tries to source from US companies) and some funky animal print French terry from Opulent Monsters Fabric and Pattern Facebook Group (there are custom prints, adult prints and LA fashion fabric- which is where this fabric came from). Even though I have been hording these fabrics when the Sweet Pea picked these it caused a bit of panic because even though I have had these fabrics for a while, I have never worked with French terry before.

So French terry has a bit less stretch to work with, in this case one is 2 way stretch and the other has little to no stretch. However both get more cuddly as they are washed, which makes French terry a great choice for the cold New England winters.

[Image: Two stacks of fabric on a cutting mat. On the left is a stack with folded blue colored fabric sitting on top of green multi colored folded fabric. On the right is a pile of cut fabric with lime green, bright blue, pink and gray leopard and zebra animal print on top of blue fabric].After looking through all my patterns I went with one pattern I have never made in my child’s size and one that is my husband’s absolute favorite for our daughter. I opted for the Paradise Pullover from Opulent Monsters pattern line and the Sansa Pant from Bella Sunshine Designs (my husband tells me any time Baby O wears these pants that she needs more!)

{Image: Blue fabric sewn into cuffs sits on top of the wild blue, green, pink, and gray animal print collar.}

{Image: a womans hand points to a blue pocket binding attached with red and white clips to the colorful fabric]

On a funny side note, I dread making cuffs. I would rather hem something any day over sewing cuffs then putting them on in the round. Because of this I have a tendency to do them first and get them out of the way so I am less likely to put it on the back burner and end up with an UFO (unfinished object). Does anyone else have issues with bands like me?

[Image;Upclose view of the pocket band and background during the construction of the Paradise Pullover.]

[Image;Colorful top taken at the angle of the waistband looking up on a flat lay. You can see the blue bands of the cuff and waistband and a cowl in the distance. The bands are blue and the rest of the top is a brightly colored animal print with lime green, blue, pink and grasy]

I love the construction of the Paradise Pullover and the way the pockets look with just a peek of color which you could use with fun contrasting colors. I opted for the collar with the front pockets in a size 3/4 (sizing runs 3/6m- 13/14) and doubled the waistband width to allow for a bigger band at the bottom.

The Sansa pants run 6m-12 for the girls and 0-30 for ladies. I am totally going to have to get me some more of the blue French terry so Baby O and I can be twinsies. They are the cutest flare shape and fit my tiny girl perfectly, even with using the French terry with less give. I did 2t waist (she measures the 18mo) blended to the 3t height and rise length (since she’s still in diapers.)

[image: Flat lay of the Paradise pull over, the left arm rests at chest level and the right is in the right pocket]

[image: Paradise pullover on top of the pants for a full outfit flat lay]

[Image: Blue flared pants folded in half so you can see the profile view on top of the Paradise Pullover]

I truly loved making this outfit for baby girl because of the funky print but also because of the fit. The Opulent Monsters pattern is a nice gender neutral top that is slim cut, which is very nice for a more petite child , like Sweet Pea. Bella Sunshine Designs does a fabulous job drafting patterns and making sure that the pattern instructions are clear and well thought out. I love the slim through the thigh fit and look of these pants. What is even more impressive is that from taping to finished product this outfit took 2hrs and 3 minutes (it only took me 18 minutes to sew the Sansa pants, and I assume would probably take way less time if I wasn’t one to press my items all the time).

[Image; Baby O with her hair in messy pigtails rests her hands on her knees in a squat position making a silly face at the camera]

[Image: Baby O in profile facing to the left with her hands in the pocket of the Paradise Pullover. She is looking down]

[Image: Baby O with her hands in her pocket from the right side]

[Images; Olivia looks up and to the right in the close up so you can see the cowl style cross over collar of her top]

[Image:Baby O holds a bucket toy while she plays in her new outfit]

[Image: Baby O pulls balls out of her Mr. Bucket toy while sitting on the floor. One leg is tucked close to her body the other is straight out next to the Mr. Bucket]

I am pretty sure that this outfit is a success since she saw it, said for me and immediately stripped down to put it on. I love the fit of the entire outfit and was pleasantly surprised at how much more stable in hand the French terry feels when sewing than a regular cotton lycra does- if you decide to make either item, let me know how it goes and what you think!

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Want to stay up to date on the rest of the blogs covered this month in Sewing by Ti? Check them out below!

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Published by The Bear and Pea Atelier

I'm just a mom that sews.
Affectionately called Lala, I sew custom dresses and do lots of pattern testing and this is the space my crafty projects are going to land. I started the blog last year with a focus on the 2018 52 week sewing challenge. I ended the year with 31- 52 sewing week challenge posts completed plus 17 -blog tours, putting me just shy of posting 52 posts for the year. This year my focus will change as I am working on learning new techniques and sewing specifically for my tall, plus sized body and my husband. I want to focus on both casual and couture looks with vintage inspiration. I may post all 52 week challenge topics or I may choose to post weekly progress on my adventures in sewing tailored clothing for me, who knows but join me on my sewing adventure and lets make it sew!
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